The Count Basie Orchestra

The Count Basie Orchestra is one of the most thriving big bands in history With 17 Grammy awards. With 19 performers, 17 side men, 1 vocalist, and a bandleader, they've become the premier jazz band. The Orchestra celebrates the Big Band experience through the completely original and identifiable Count Basie repertoire. Experience this musical heritage, then you can then say, "I came back to Basie. The real Basie! Not a counterfeit."

The Duke Ellington Orchestra

By the time of his passing, Duke Ellington was considered amongst the world's greatest composers and musicians. The French government honored him with their highest award, the Legion of Honor, while the government of the United States bestowed upon him the highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He played for the royalty and for the common people and by the end of his fifty-year career, he had played over 20,000 performances worldwide. He was The Duke, Duke Ellington. We are proud to be able to represent this great legacy with The Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington Jr.

Harry Connick Jr. & His Orchestra

Harry Connick, Jr.'s career has been studded with awards and recognition, including several multi-platinum and gold albums, Grammy, Tony and Emmy awards, Cable Ace, Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, and much more. A true American icon, there are few artists of Harry's stature.

The Toni Tennille Big Band Show

Since 1984, Toni Tennille has had a successful career singing classic Jazz standards and performing with top symphony orchestras. Her previous five albums of standards, "More Than You Know", "All of Me", "Never Let Me Go", "Moonglow", and "Tennille Sings Big Band" solidified her share of the marketplace, prompting reviewers to rave about her powerful voice and dramatic interpretation of lyrics.

A.J. Croce

The son of folk great Jim Croce, A.J.'s wide appeal is no secret. Take a look at some of the artists with whom he has performed and recorded: Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Santana, Willie Nelson, Dave Mathews, Ben Harper, Lyle Lovett, Rod Stewart, Morphine, B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins, Honeyboy Edwards, John Fahey, Gangstarr, John Mayall, Buddy Guy, Lenny Kravitz, Bruce Hornsby, Toni Braxton, David Garza, Fastball, and Steve Poltz, and his childhood hero Ray Charles.

Alison Krauss & Union Station

Alison Krauss helped bring Bluegrass to a new audience in the '90s. Blending Bluegrass with Folk, Krauss was instantly acclaimed from the start of her career, but it wasn't until her platinum-selling 1995 compilation "Now That I've Found You" that she became a mainstream star. Between her 1987 debut "Too Late to Cry" and "Now That I've Found You", she matured from a child prodigy to a versatile, ambitious, and diverse musician and, in the process, made some of the freshest bluegrass of the late '80s and early '90s.

Arlo Guthrie

"I was born with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in the other. I have successfully foiled every opportunity to be somebody in the entertainment industry. I've done about 30 records, a few motion pictures, a TV series, a book for little kids, started a few recording and production companies and two not-for-profit foundations. I've spent over 40 years on the road discovering the rest of humanity and I'm still not proud or tired. I am happy to share what I don't know with anyone who doesn't expect anything from me. I have no interests, hobbies, or goals except to outrun the truth that shadows my every move. The music keeps playing the shows must go on." - Arlo Guthrie

Indigo Girls

Long before Joan Osborne, Sheryl Crow, Liz Phair or Courtney Love ever splashed across the American musical landscape, the Indigo Girls were singing and guitar-slinging their way into the hearts and minds of anyone willing to lend an ear to two of the hardest-working women in the music business. Stripped-down, folkie rock was not exactly prime radio fodder at the end of the eighties, but somehow the Amy Ray and Emily Saliers combination of thoughtful, semi-political topics, accessible melodies, and feminist posturing caught on. Add in the duo's indefatigable approach to touring, and you get a long-lasting formula for success. The laid back nature of the Indigo Girls has won them legions of fans who flock to their concerts.

The Kingston Trio

In 1957 The Kingston Trio emerged from San Francisco's North Beach club scene to take the country by storm, bringing the rich tradition of American folk music into the mainstream for the first time. During the late 50s and early 60s, the Trio enjoyed unprecedented record sales and worldwide fame, while influencing the musical tastes of a generation. Through changing times, the Trio has played on, remaining popular for a simple reason... great songs that sound as good today as the first time you heard them. And 52 years after Tom Dooley shot to the top of the charts, the Trio is still on the road thirty weeks a year, bringing back all the great memories and making new ones.

B.B. King

B.B. King has been called the King of the Blues and Ambassador of the Blues, and indeed he has reigned across the decades as the genre's most recognizable and influential artist. His half-century of success owes much to his hard work as a touring musician who consistently logged between 200 and 300 shows a year. Through it all he has remained faithful to the Blues while keeping abreast of contemporary trends and deftly incorporating other favored forms into his musical overview. Much like such colleagues and contemporaries as Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker, B.B. King managed to change with the changing times while adhering to his blues roots.

Robert Cray Band

Robert Cray was a driving force in the tremendous revitalization and renewed popularity of the blues in the '80s, and powered with Cray's equal love of soulful R&B, he and his band continue to refashion and fuel the boom that rolls on into the millennium and beyond. With one double platinum album, two gold albums and five Grammy Awards, Cray's sound is a leading light of modern electric blues guitar and soul singing.

Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts

Jim and his band have played for Al Gore, Governor Gray Davis. They play all the House of Blues venues, all the casinos, many benefits, and hundreds of corporate events for the Fortune 500 companies. Word on the street is if it's going to be a tough audience, get Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts; a butt hasn't been born that can stay in a chair through their first set.

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers

The Bluesbreakers played a central role in British R&B. Under Mayall's unwavering commitment to the blues, they produced a generation of musicians. In 1966 they released their "Blues Breakers" album. An unexpected success commercially, the record firmly established Clapton's status as a guitar hero. Throughout their career, the musicians may have changed frequently, but Mayall remained unconcerned about the commercial pressures of the day and stuck to a "back to the roots" policy of playing the blues.

Elvin Bishop

Elvin Bishop is a slide guitar great with 45 years of Blues under his belt. Rolling Stone has praised his "careening slide and razor-edged bursts, all delivered with unflagging enthusiasm and wit. "The Blues Rolls On" was a defining moment in Bishop's long career and a welcome reminder that the blues is still alive and well.

Dana Carvey

One of Saturday Night Live's most talented alumni, comedian Dana Carvey reigned supreme during his six-season run creating some of the show's most memorable characters, including The Church Lady, Garth of Wayne and Garth fame, Grumpy Old Man and bodybuilding Hans of Hans and Franz notoriety. He has appeared in numerous movies and enjoys a busy concert schedule.

Ellen DeGeneres

DeGeneres' humor highlights keen observations, wry wit, and strange twists of reality coupled with the occasional self-depreciating physical gag. USA Today remarked of the comedian and her program, "She's a star, her friends aren't strangers, and this is the warmest, smartest ABC comedy since I don't know when." And a People writer commented, "With her pop-eyed innocence, her self-aware goofiness, DeGeneres is a sitcom natural. She has an endearing way of putting her foot into her mouth and then wedging it in deeper and deeper as she babbles on embarrassedly."

Mark Russell

Whenever Mark Russell is down in the dumps, he opens the newspaper and immediately cheers up. Practically everything he sees strikes him funny. "Some days," he says, "the jokes jump off the pages and write themselves." Mark spends most of the year on the road. His syndicated column is enjoyed all over America, as are his CDs, tapes and videos. Russell fans in D.C. can catch Mark during his popular January stint at Ford's Theatre. People constantly marvel at Mark's wealth of fresh material and frequently ask "Do you have any writers?" Honest to a fault, he's always quick to admit "Oh, yes, I have 535 of them – 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives!"

The Smothers Brothers

Time has been an essential ingredient in the Smothers Brothers' success. They have been considered ahead of their time, masters of timing and practitioners of timeless comedy. As they mark more than 35 years in show business, the Smothers Brothers are being saluted as time-honored legends whose lengthy career has surpassed all other comedy teams in history. With their singular blend of comedic and musical talents, the irrepressible brothers have made a sweeping impact on diverse generations of fans. Such lasting power is a testimonial to their intuitive humor, natural warmth, superlative showmanship and the pure unadulterated joy they bring to audiences of all ages.

Robin Williams

Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series, "Mork and Mindy", and later stand up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He has won an Academy Award for his performance in the 1997 film, "Good Will Hunting", as well as being nominated in the 1991 film, "The Fisher King", and 1993's "Mrs. Doubtfire". He has also won six Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and three Grammy Awards.

Faith Hill

One of the biggest female country stars of the '90s and 2000s, Faith Hill also took advantage of the inroads into pop territory, becoming an enormous crossover success by the end of the millennium.

Reba McEntire

From the moment you hear the voice, you know it: fierce and powerful, clear and passionate, a voice that could belong to no one else but the woman millions of fans the world over know only as Reba.

Rascal Flatts

Five studio albums into their incredible career, the members of Rascal Flatts find themselves firmly atop the music world. Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have scaled unbelievable heights in the eight years since their debut, and yet with the release of each new album, they find their fortunes still rising.

Shania Twain

Emerging in the mid '90s, Shania Twain became the most popular country music artist since Garth Brooks.

Dwight Yoakam

Since the start of his music career, Dwight Yoakam has proven he's more than just another guy with a guitar and a hat. He has risen from hot country star to being one of country music's biggest influences. While doing that, he has also become a critically acclaimed actor.

George Benson

Appreciated as both musician and performer by millions, George Benson has always had the duel personae of expert improviser and vibrant entertainer. He has always placed his keenly discerning art in the service of a rousing good time. Rounding out his singular approach with sly, seductive rhythm and blues, he's earned himself an impeccable reputation as one of music's most enterprising and engaging stars.

Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau's unique vocal style is one of the world's most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide.

Chuck Mangione

For more than five decades, Chuck Mangione's love affair with music has been characterized by his boundless energy, unabashed enthusiasm, and pure joy that radiates from the stage.

Bobby McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin is one of the natural wonders of the music world. A 10 time Grammy Award winner, he is one of the world's best-known vocal innovators and improvisers, a world-renowned classical conductor, the creator of "Don't Worry Be Happy", one of the most popular songs of the late 20th century, and a passionate spokesman for music education. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies, and his collaborations including those with with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, the Vienna Philharmonic, and Herbie Hancock have established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds.

Kenny Rankin

In a remarkable recording career that spans three and a half decades, Kenny Rankin has established an impressive set of creative credentials, as an insightful songwriter, a distinctive guitarist and, above all, a world-class singer possessing an uncanny ability to cut straight to a song's emotional heart. While his supple, pristine tenor has earned him status as a singer's singer, Rankin's songwriting talents have been widely recognized by his peers. For example, his "In the Name of Love" inspired a memorable version by Peggy Lee, while his "Haven't We Met" has been cut by a number of jazz and pop artists including Carmen McRae and Mel Torme. Other Rankin compositions have been covered by a diverse assortment of artists.

Charo

Charo is a household name. She is instantly recognizable for her witty humor, loveable accent and mastery of the flamenco guitar along with her trademark statement, "Cuchi-Cuchi" which has become synonymous with fun and excitement around the world. She has appeared in countless hit televisions shows, including more than forty-five appearances on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and appeared on "The Love Boat" more than any other star.

Daisy Fuentes

A Cuban-American bombshell, Daisy Fuentes was one of the most visible MTV stars of the mid '90s. She got her start reporting the news at New York station WXTV, the local affiliate for the Latin network Univision. In 1988 she became host of MTV Internacional and then went on to host House of Style and other shows on the music network. She also co-hosted America's Funniest Home Videos from 1997-2000 and became a regular presenter at beauty pageants and awards shows.

Enrique Iglesias

You would think that Enrique Iglesias has nothing left to prove. After all, the Madrid-born, Miami-raised singer has sold 40 million albums in little over a decade, becoming one of the most successful artists in the history of popular music. Then again, Enrique is not your average pop star.

Jennifer Lopez

Few artists have traveled so effortlessly from one artistic medium to another as Jennifer Lopez with her incredible array of talent as an acclaimed movie actress, a chart-topping musical artist and a fashion industry entrepreneur. Her trailblazing career boasts major box office hits, prestigious film nominations, the successful fashion line Sweetface by J.Lo, best-selling fragrances, and over 35 million albums sold worldwide.

Sergio Mendes & Brazil

Grammy winner Sergio Mendes remains among the world's most internationally successful recording artists. Although widely recognized as a Bossa Nova pioneer, Mendes remains relevant by regularly updating his sound with modern arrangements of Brazilian classics.

The Association

It all started in 1965 with the breakup of one of the first folk rock ensembles called, The Men. What was originally an 11 member singing group, ultimately became the 6 man band named, The Association. In 1967, The Association made history being the first band anywhere to open a rock festival - the now historic, Monterey Pop Festival. One of the most successful bands to come out of the 60's, they have sold over 80 million records, tapes, Cds and DVDs. They've earned a number of achievement awards as well as six gold records and two platinum records. Their album, "The Association, Greatest Hits", continues to be one of the longest best selling albums in the history of the company.

Blood, Sweat & Tears

A musical institution, Blood, Sweat & Tears has left an indelible mark on the American music scene since 1968. One of the greatest horn bands in the history of popular music, BS&T's alumni roster reads like a Who's Who of the world's greatest jazz and rock musicians. As BS&T has evolved through the years, it has maintained its commitment to high standards by including in its current roster the most talented musicians available.

Sha Na Na

New York City's superstars, Sha Na Na, have the most amazing resume in Rock 'n Roll. They appeared at Woodstock, performed regularly at the Fillmore East, had their own TV variety show, and were featured in the movie "Grease" - and most of them have degrees from Columbia University, too. Sha Na Na has made vintage Rock 'n Roll their own and they still perform for hep cats and hippies alike.

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

Since beginning his career with The Beatles in the 1960s, Ringo Starr has been one of the world's brightest musical luminaries. He has enjoyed a successful and dynamic solo career as a singer, songwriter and drummer, an active musical collaborator, and as an actor. Drawing inspiration from classic Blues, Soul, Country, Honky-tonk and Rock 'n Roll, Ringo continues to play an important role in modern music with his solo recording and touring.

The Village People

The one-of-a-kind Village People is synonymous with dance music. These six talented men combine energetic choreography with outrageous fun and lots of bumping and grinding, singing and dancing, provide great entertainment for all! Celebrating 30 years as the world's Disco icons, Village People perform a full schedule of fairs, festivals, universities and casinos throughout the United States as well as Canada, Brazil, France, South Africa, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Poland.

David Copperfield

A member of the exclusive club of world-famous magicians, David Copperfield is known for staging whopper illusions, including making the Statue of Liberty disappear before a live audience and millions of TV viewers. A member of the Society of American Magicians since he was a teenager, Copperfield got his start in the entertainment industry singing and performing magic on stage in Chicago. His Emmy-winning television specials have been popular events since the late 1970s, and Copperfield has pulled off some amazing stunts over the years, including levitating across the Grand Canyon and walking through the Great Wall of China.

Michael Flatley

Michael Flatley's path to stardom proves what the human spirit can accomplish when relentless drive and determination converge with dreams. His long and arduous journey from construction worker on Chicago's South Side to one of the world's most accomplished and innovative artists alive today is an inspiration to all who face overwhelming obstacles and challenges along the road to success.

The Peking Acrobats

Since their debut in 1986, The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs. They are experts at treacherous wire-walking, trick-cycling, precision tumbling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. They defy gravity with amazing displays of contortion, flexibility, and control. They push the envelope of human possibility with astonishing juggling dexterity and incredible balancing feats, showcasing tremendous skill and ability. They are masters of agility and grace.

Manhattan Rhythm Kings

Known for their polished performances of American popular music from the '20s, '30s and '40s, the Manhattan Rhythm Kings have gained a large and enthusiastic following across the country. While frequently compared with such musical greats as the Mills Brothers and Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys, the trio has established a unique character of its own with a combination of close harmony singing, virtuosic instrumental work, and spectacular tap dancing.

The Commodores

The Commodores want you to know that their friend and comrade, Lionel Richie, left the band in 1983. They want you to know that the Commodores, despite a string of monster hits and massive tours in the late '70s and early 80s, won their first Grammy Award for the multi-platinum smash single and LP Night Shift in 1986. Most of all, they want you to know that the Commodores are alive and well in the new millennium.

Earth, Wind & Fire

During the 1970s, a new brand of pop music was born - one that was steeped in African and African-American styles - particularly jazz and R&B but appealed to a broader cross-section of the listening public. As founder and leader of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White not only embraced but also helped bring about this evolution of pop, which bridged the gap that has often separated the musical tastes of black and white America. It certainly was successful, as EWF combined high-caliber musicianship, wide-ranging musical genre eclecticism, and '70s multicultural spiritualism.

Patti La Belle

Soul diva Patti LaBelle has enjoyed one of the longest-lived careers in contemporary music, notching hits in a variety of sounds ranging from girl group pop to space-age funk to lush ballads.

Smokey Robinson

If you're looking for the all-time number one purveyor of mainstream romantic soul, Smokey Robinson may well be the man, in the face of some towering competition. With the Miracles in the 1960s, he paced dozens of tuneful Motown hits with his beautiful high tenor. As a solo performer from the 1970s onward, he was one of the staples of urban contemporary music.

The B-52s

Looking back at the B-52s' pioneering fusions of punk, new wave, and vintage rock, it would be tough to imagine the contemporary musical landscape existing without having encountered the intersected spirits of Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, and Cindy Wilson. They cross-pollinate and create a wonderfully crazy blossom. Botonists don't need a name for this stunning specimen, though. It already has one, known around the world: the B-52s.

Hall & Oates

Huey Lewis & the News

Huey Lewis & the News were a bar band that made good. With their simple, straightforward Rock 'n Roll, the San Francisco-based group became one of America's most popular pop/rock bands of the mid '80s. Inspired equally by British pub rock and '60s R&B and Rock & Roll, the News have a driving, party-hearty spirit that made songs like "Workin' for a Livin'", "I Want a New Drug", "The Heart of Rock & Roll", "Hip to Be Square", and "The Power of Love" legendary anthems.

Elton John

In terms of sales and lasting popularity, Elton John was the biggest pop superstar of the early '70s. The new millennium has seen Elton still at the top of his game, continuing to play frequent, sell-out concerts all over the world.

Bette Midler

Forty years, four Grammys, four Golden Globes, three Emmys, a Tony Award, and tons of record-breaking performances since she hit the scene, the "Divine Miss M" is still going strong. She recently said that although it's tough being a living legend, somebody's got to do it. "In other words", she added, "I'm not retiring and you can't make me!"

Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett continues to sing popular standards, varying his timing and phrasing with a jazz fan's sense of spontaneity to bring out the melodies and lyrics of the songs effectively. Bennett remains as popular as ever.

Natalie Cole

The daughter of jazz and pop legend Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole has forged a successful career in two phases, doing R&B/urban contemporary, and jazz-based pop.

Melissa Manchester

A unique talent, soulful and intimate, nurtured through a career that stretches back to age 15. She has won and been nominated for various Grammys, written some of the best songs of the era, acted in films and TV, and been honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with a Governor’s Award.

Bernadette Peters

Throughout her illustrious career, Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage, on television, in concert, and in the recording industry.

Doc Severinsen

Doc Severinson spent 25 years as the colorful musical director for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show. Known for his brassy sound and cheerful demeanor, Severinsen has recorded dozens of albums and appeared with pop orchestras across the United States.

Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings are that rare thing - an international household name famous solely for their music; the most successful French musical outfit ever, are big in Brazil and popular in Persia, honored at The Alamo in Texas and celebrated in China. That's no ordinary achievement. Understandably, the Gipsy Kings are extraordinary characters: to play guitar and sing is something their fathers, grandfathers and ancestors did. The Gipsy Kings make music as communion, artistry rooted in the past yet focused on the future.

Kitaro

Since his 1995 debut for Domo Records—the Grammy-nominated Mandala, featuring bold use of electric guitar, Kitaro has released no less than thirteen albums. His music has long been recognised for its messages of peace and spirituality. When asked about his music, he said, "I never had education in music, I just learned to trust my ears and my feelings." He credits powers beyond himself for his music, saying, "This music is not from my mind. It is from heaven, going through my body and out my fingers through composing. Sometimes, I wonder. I never practice. I don't read or write music, but my fingers move. I wonder, "Whose song is this?" I write my songs, but they are not my songs."

Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers

No group connects reggae's rich and spiritual heritage with today's music scene like Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Blessed both by heredity and by singular talent, the Melody Makers have carried on their father's legacy by delivering stirring "roots" music and a dizzying array of other styles on the eight acclaimed albums they have released since the mid '80s. Along the way, they have sold million of records, won two Grammy awards and played to countless devotees worldwide.

Anoushka Shankar

For Anoushka Shankar, there is legacy and then there is destiny. She is equally respectful of both, but bound to neither. Her ever-growing audience cannot help but acknowledge the familial roots of the young woman coaxing spellbinding spiritual sounds from her sitar, but neither can they deny that she is an innovator in her own right. Her name may have brought her to the stage for the first time as a young girl, but it is her talent and vision that have kept her there.

UB40

For over 25 years, UB40 have continued the job of popularising reggae around the globe. In the process, they continue to give enormous pleasure to a public too vast to be defined by age, generation, tribe, or fashion.